You knew I couldn't resist, didn't you? Ah well, another project in the basket. In this last photo, you can see where I'm using a jogless stripes method -- I don't like those jogs that come from knitting stripes in the round, and so far, the Traveling stripes version detailed at TECHknitting has been the best way for me to avoid it. I think after blocking, it'll look pretty neat.
Taking part in small things' Yarn Along today, so I'm re-reading Stephen King's On Writing. It's subtitled "A Memoir of the Craft" and although many writers I know list it as a writing manual of sorts, it's his personal story that interests me so much more. I needed some motivation since I'm still not working as much as I'd like since my layoff this past summer. It's led to all kinds of self-reflection, deep thoughts, a few dark days here and there. All in all, kind of an uncertain time, which led me to wonder how we all define ourselves. Are you "the work you do" or are you something more?
What's a writer who doesn't write? A nurse who has no one to care for? A stay-at-home mom whose children are grown up and moved out of the house? I'm more than a writer, and now more than ever, I have to remind myself of that. Just because I'm not fully engaged in the work I was meant to do, I know I'm still important. The work we do doesn't necessarily define us, and make us all we are, does it? Pin It Now!
18 comments:
Wow, you're right about the deep thoughts...
To my mind, I think it depends how a person defines themself - so if someone feels "I write therefore I am", not writing becomes a crushing blow to the identity. Whereas if you're someone who defines yourself by a multitude of things, by all the hopes, dreams, joys, fears, loves, worries, etc that being a person includes, then (to continue using the writer analogy) writing is only a small facet of the whole, and not writing doesn't shake the foundations of the self. Importance remains in the million other parts that make that person. Just my hastily approached conclusion!
You are so right! Who we are is so much more than our work - it is how we respond to each event throughout the days that defines more closely who we are - it is the moments that count.
Your jogless stripes are perfection. I have yet to read that book but my daughter has read it a couple of times and has found it inspiring. I might have to read it one day :)
When my kids were born, I obviously became a mom, but the interesting thing is that it never did define me (even though I became a stay-at-home mom). After they were born, we started going to church (which became another "thing") and going to the Scandinavian Centre (which became another "thing") and soon my life started evolving into who I am now but may not always be. When I started reaching beyond myself, and getting involved in more things, there was more "me." And I like that. Learning other skills (such as knitting) is just another part of who I didn't know I was, but am now!
I get irritated when all some people want to know about me is what I do. It's like, for some, the answer to that one question fills in so many gaps about my personality...when it only really reveals only part of my story.
we are sooooo much more than the work we do!!!
loving the stripes :)
Don't get me started on the whole who am I question... I ask myself that all the time and I haven't found an answer yet..
Sigh.
Liking your stripes though. If that helps.
Love those stripes and colors. That is a great technique for jogless stripes. I have always used the slip stitch method but will definitely try this one. Looks very neat and tidy.
I tend to define myself by my relationships with people. Mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend. Even though I love my career, it is just one small part of who I am. I think how we define ourselves can change with time, also.
stripes look so good, i'll have to try this. i like what tonya said, it is the moments, and defintely for me, not the work.
Beautiful stripes!
Thanks for the book recommendation, I think I need to have my son read it.
PS- Saw your Girasole below and just wanted to tell you it is the prettiest piece of
knit work I have ever seen. Congratulations on three years of beautiful work.
I love the stripes, and I've heard of how to change yarn color without it showing in your knitting, but I've never done it before. I'll have to look at the tutorial.
I have no answers... just support from someone with the same questions. Writing is hard for so many reasons, isn't it? I wish I was born to do something else: preferably something that ended at the end of the day.
Loving the stripes - great colours and perfect colour changes - I thought it was self-striping yarn when I first saw the pic!
I think Pinkundine got it right - it's about how we define ourselves that gives us meaning. For me, I think the way to define self is by how you act and behave and think, not what you do as a profession (although writing, like knitting, might be a passion as well, not just a profession). I think that's where it gets tricky, because like MadMad said, some jobs you can switch off at the end of the day, but others you can't.
I do all sorts of jobs - officially I'm also a writer - but I'm certainly not defined as such, and I hate it when people do use it as a label (and I certainly still describe myself as a knitter, even though I can't knit much at the moment). Some people seem to be so prescriptive; can't imagine other people doing more than one thing.
Maybe that reflects more on them, though...
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http://mommieagainblog.blogspot.com
I forgot to mention...
love that color combo!
Kudos on the jogless jogging. Looks perfect and even.
You asked a real good question. I was a teacher; that's what I defined myself as and then I became so-and-so's mum. But now that I've relit that artistic fire, I feel more whole besides being married to an understanding husband who appreciates and needs me besides two girls who love me unconditionally.
My knitting needles are collecting dust because my excuse is I need yarn....lol. Cute hat, I've never heard of jogless stripes, what I do know is that I have been in a jogless state... no exercise lately....ha.
I try everyday to follow the philosophy that I should work to live & not live to work.
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